BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE– A new era of digital entrepreneurship has arrived in Eswatini after Minister of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Senator Savannah Maziya announced that local content creators can now monetize their TikTok content and earn income from the global platform.
Speaking at the TikTok Masterclass held at the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) Auditorium, the Minister described the development as a major opportunity for young people, rural communities and entrepreneurs to participate in the rapidly growing global creator economy.
Addressing content creators, digital innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs, Senator Maziya said the world of work is changing rapidly, creating new opportunities that did not exist a few years ago.
The Minister emphasized that government is deliberately positioning Eswatini to become a competitive player in the digital economy through skills development, innovation and technology adoption.
One of the most significant announcements during the event was confirmation that TikTok monetization is now available to local creators, opening a direct pathway for emaSwati to earn income through their creativity.
“I’m happy that TikTok is here today with exciting news. I can tell them that actually, we are able to monetise as of today,” said the Minister.
The announcement marks a major milestone for Eswatini’s digital transformation agenda, as creators can now potentially generate revenue from content produced locally and consumed globally.
Senator Maziya revealed that government actively engaged TikTok leadership to ensure Eswatini was not left behind in accessing opportunities available on the platform.
She explained that after learning that local creators were unable to monetize their content, she personally sought engagement with TikTok executives through international networks and technology industry contacts.
The Minister said the objective was simple: ensuring that emaSwati, especially young people from rural communities, are able to generate income and create sustainable livelihoods through digital platforms.
She expressed confidence that somewhere in rural Eswatini there is a young person who will become a global digital success story and help position the country as a leader in digital creativity.
The Minister further highlighted the enormous growth of the global creator economy, noting that it currently stands at approximately US$250 billion and is projected to reach US$1.4 trillion by 2028.
According to Senator Maziya, this growth demonstrates that content creation is no longer merely a hobby but a legitimate business sector capable of creating jobs, generating income and driving economic growth.
“This is a business platform,” she emphasized. “Whether the business is you as an individual, whether you are selling products or services, this is a way for you to reach the world.”
She encouraged creators to use the masterclass to understand how to grow audiences, improve content quality and maximize earnings opportunities available through TikTok.
Beyond individual success, the Minister said the platform offers Eswatini an opportunity to showcase its culture, products, services and creativity to international audiences.
“This is one extremely important example of saying we will reach the world with our products, our services and our individual creativity. The world must know that Eswatini is a player in the world of creativity and content creation,” she said.
The choice of venue for the masterclass was also symbolic. Hosting the event at the ERS Auditorium was intended to reinforce the message that content creation should be viewed as a serious business venture.
“You are a business now, so you must act responsibly,” the Minister told participants, adding that successful creators would ultimately contribute to national development through taxes and economic activity.
As Eswatini continues to embrace digital transformation, the availability of TikTok monetization represents more than just a new income stream. It signals the emergence of a new generation of entrepreneurs who can build careers from creativity, innovation and technology.
For many aspiring creators across the country, the announcement may well be remembered as the moment when smartphones transformed from communication devices into powerful tools for economic empowerment.
